President Mugabe was symbolically put on trial at the Zimbabwe Vigil in London and ordered to leave office for crimes against the people and economy of Zimbabwe. He had earlier been arrested by human rights activist Peter Tatchell, who had unsuccessfully tried to make a citizen’s arrest of Mugabe in London in 1999 and Brussels in 2001.

Mugabe was brought to the Vigil along with first lady Grace and the governor of the Reserve Bank John Mangudya from the south coast resort of Brighton, where the three had gone incognito to get treatment under the National Health Service and apply for state benefits.

A valiant group of Vigil / ROHR supporters and other exiled Zimbabweans left Brighton for London with the prisoners on Friday and walked 30 miles before camping overnight on a farm in Edenbridge. Grace was struggling in her Jimmy Choo shoes, Mangudya was trying to count each step while Mugabe had fallen six times, claiming he was pushed. On Saturday they continued for a further ten miles, singing Zimbabwean songs as they passed the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street before joining the Vigil, where Mugabe was handed over to a judge outside the Zimbabwe Embassy.

He was found guilty of treason and offered a pistol so he could make an honourable exit. But, cunning as always, he collapsed against the Embassy door to claim diplomatic immunity. The Vigil has alerted the British authorities to examine all Zimbabwean diplomatic baggage very carefully, looking particularly for a 92 year old with corns and blisters from a long walk. Thanks to Alfredy Mukuvare and Fungayi Mabhunu who acted as Mugabe and to Phillip Mahlahla who played the judge.

The judge released Grace and Mangudya to the local social services. It is understood that both have applied for asylum on the grounds of diminished responsibility caused by stupidity. Latest word is that Grace has asked the UK immigration authorities for training as a typist and Mangudya has asked for a UK government loan to study arithmetic and economics at O level.

The walkers started at Brighton Pier and trekked over the scenic South Downs via paths to avoid detection by Zanu PF agents. Anna Pfende dashed all the way from Northampton to Brighton to make sure Mugabe was under arrest and then returned home happy.

The walkers arrived at the campsite at 10.30 pm struggling to find their way in near darkness in the woodlands. They found the camp had been set up and food prepared. Thanks to Sarah Bayisayi who had picked up the food by car and had taken Chipo, Rosemary and Etines to Chipo’s home near the route to cook. Thanks to Rose and Etines who set up camp and Fungayi who made the beds. Thanks to John Burke for organising the campsite. Mugabe and co were locked in the toilet block to keep them secure – and also because of their complaints about poor facilities, claiming ‘we don't get this sort of treatment in Singapore’.

Saturday morning breakfast was at Deep Blue fish and chips in Oxted which opened early to feed the walkers. The Reverend Wendy Harvey of St Mary’s Church, Oxted, chanced upon the walkers having their breakfast and stopped with them to bless their food and pray for them.

A large contingent joined the walkers outside East Croydon rail station.

They arrived at the Vigil to a heroes’ welcome. People were in tears.

Other points

About 20 people gathered singing and drumming outside the Embassy on Thursday 11th August to demonstrate in support of ROHR member Lynda Masarira, who is facing trumped up charges in Harare. During the demonstration the protesters were angered to hear that Lynda had been further remanded in custody until 25th August, unable to get home to her children. It is reported that ‘Lynda looked visibly sick when she appeared in court today because she is allegedly being denied access tomedication and it was evident with swollen hands’ (see: http://nehandaradio.com/2016/08/11/lynda-masarira-remanded-update-pictures-video/. For pictures see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72157669256855493. Thanks to those who attended the demonstration: Alfredy Mukuvare, Anna Pfende, Barbara Kachidza, Bianca Mpawaenda, Cephas Maswoswa, Chipo Kamhunga, Chipo Parirenyatwa, Dennis Benton, Hellena Gusinyu, John Burke, Leigh Banks, Martin Chinyanga, Mary Ndoro, Mavis Chisvo, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Muchineripi Chigwedere, Phillip Mahlahla, Rose Benton, Rosemary Maponga, Sally Mutseyami, Tafadzwa Gwarinda and Wilma Gwarinda.

Thanks to those who arrived early to help set up the Vigil today: Mercy Bayipayi, Elizabeth Chakachaka, Isaac Chawasarira, Enniah Dube, Rosemary Guveya, Deborah Harry, Chipo Kamhunga, Jonathan Kariwo, Honest Madondo, Marian Mangani, Patricia Masamba, Cephas Maswoswa, Zimazile Mguni, Bianca Mpawaenda, Esther Munyira, Sally Mutseyami, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Eva Sanyahokwe, Michael Sirewu, Zenzo Siziba and Sharon Zimuto. Thanks to Patricia, Sally, Enniah and Bianca for looking after the front table and handing out flyers to the public and to Mduduzi, Cephas and Michael for putting up the banners. Thanks to Deborah and Mercy for selling sadza and mazonda to raise funds for the Vigil. Sadza was also brought by Beverley Mutandiro who said prayers for the Vigil and the walkers. Water was provided by ROHR and other drinks by Zenzo who also brought tasty small cakes.

The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.

Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 3rd September from 6.15 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA.From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a sign at street level. It's between a newsagent and a shop. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.

Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) meets regularly after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy.